Cedar County Memorial Hospital Sleep Lab receives accreditation

Cedar County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) proudly announces its Sleep Lab received national accreditation by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) on July 20, 2017. ACHC is an independent not-for-profit organization providing health care accreditations since 1986. By achieving ACHC accreditation, CCMH’s Sleep Lab demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest quality service and patient care.

Achieving ACHC accreditation is a process where health care organizations demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and standards established by industry experts. The process entails an on-site surveyor conducting a comprehensive review.

The Sleep Lab at CCMH administers polysomnograms, or sleep studies, that measure certain body functions during sleep. Sleep studies are used to diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep.

Sleep studies require a referral by a primary care provider and an overnight stay at CCMH in a bedroom-like environment that has been equipped with special equipment. An experienced sleep study technician monitors the patient and equipment throughout the night to assure a comfortable experience for the patient. Interpretation of the sleep study is provided by a board-certified sleep specialist and reported back to the referring provider.

Sleep apnea is characterized by many undesirable symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, intellectual impairment, snoring, dry mouth in the morning, night time restlessness and sudden awakening with a gasping sensation. Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their primary care provider for potential sleep study referral. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, depression, diabetes and heart failure.

“Accreditation by ACHC affirms the quality of our Sleep Lab at CCMH,” said CCMH Administrator, Jana Witt. “I am so pleased to be able to offer this service in our local community.”

To learn more about the Sleep Lab at CCMH, please call the Respiratory Therapy Department at 417/876-3573.